Screw conveyer apparatus



June l2, 1951 E. A. HAWK scREw'coNvEYER APPARATUS Filed Jan. 29, 1948v Patented June 12, 1951 SCREW CONVEYER APPARATUS Elwin A. Hawk, East Rochester, Ohio Application January 29, 1948, Serial No. 5,082

Claims.

The invention relates generally to screw conveyor apparatus and more particularly to screw conveyor apparatus used in the ceramic industry and frequently termed auger machines, and used for conveying or conveying and pressing plastic ceramic material in the manufacture of various classes of ceramic products such as the following: heavy ceramic products including brick, tile and the like; pottery including dinnerware and the like; and porcelain including electrical insulators and the like.

In the manufacture of ceramic products different ceramic bodies each having a different composition of ceramic materials are used from time to time in the same production line, and each particular ceramic body usually has a different resistance to the conveying or feeding action of any particular auger machine. On the other hand, in processing a particular ceramic body, its moisture content may change during preceding operations causing a change in its resistance to the auger conveying or feeding. It is desirable that the output of an auger machine, or of a screw conveyor apparatus which constitutes a component part of another machine or apparatus, be as nearly constant as possible, so that the output of the production line or the machine or apparatus of which the auger machine or screw conveyor apparatus is a part may be maintained as nearly constant as possible.

In usual auger machines or screw conveyor apparatus, either due to changes in the compositions of successive ceramic bodies constituting the input, o1' due to variations in the moisture content of a ceramic body having a particular composition and constituting the input, a variable output of the auger machine or screw conveyor apparatus is very frequently experienced.

While an auger machine or a screw conveyor apparatus frequently performs a pressing operation on the material conveyed therethrough, the present invention is more particularly directed to controlling the flow of material through an auger machine or a screw conveyor apparatus, and the words screw conveyor apparatus, when used alone hereinafter throughout this specification including the claims, are intended to include an auger machine or a screw conveyor apparatus in which material is pressed as well as conveyed.

kThe objects of the present invention include the provision of improved screw conveyor apparatus which is adapted for having a variable material input and flow therethrough so as to maintain the material output as Anearly constant 4 as possible.

Further objects of the present invention include the provision of such variable screw conveyor apparatus, in which the parts are of simplified construction and arrangement, whereby the parts may be rapidly and economically manufactured, and easily and correctly assembled and disassembled, soY that the apparatus may be economically produced and maintained.

The foregoing and other objects are attained by the screw conveyor apparatus, parts, combinations, and sub-combinations, which comprise the present invention and the nature of which is set forth in the following general statement, and preferred embodiments of which are set forth in the following description, and which are particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims forming part hereof.

The nature of the improved screw conveyor apparatus of the present invention may be stated in general terms as including screw housing walls forming and having formed therein an elongated chamber having an inlet end with an inlet opening and an outlet end with an outlet opening. An elongated screw is mounted for rotation and lengthwise movement and includes a screw shaft and screw blade means on the screw shaft, the screw blade means and a portion of the screw shaft being located in the chamber and the screw blade means terminating at one end in the inlet end of the chamber adjacent the inlet opening. Adjusting means are provided for moving the screw lengthwise to any desired position of the adjacent end of the screw blade means with respect to the inlet opening of the chamber, and the adjusting means are preferably associated with rotary drive means for the screw shaft.

By way of example, preferred embodiments of the improved screw conveyor apparatus and of improved parts thereof are illustrated in the accompanying drawing forming part hereof in which Figure 1 is a longitudinal vertical section of one embodiment of the improved screw conveyor apparatus in the form of an extrusion press, the parts being shown in one position of adjustment for providing one rate of material input for the apparatus; and

Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the parts in another position of adjustment for another rate of material input for the apparatus.

Similar numerals refer Vto similar parts throughout the drawings.

One embodiment of the improved screw conveyor apparatus of the present invention'in the form of an extrusion press is indicated generally by I0, and includes a base frame II from which extend upwardly a plurality of longitudinally spaced laterally extending vertical plate walls I2, I3, I4, and I5. The outer plate walls I2 and I5 serve as supports for other parts of the apparatus, and the intermediate plate walls I3 and I4 serve as supports for and wall portions of other parts of the apparatus.

The improved screw conveyor apparatus I8 furthermore includes, together with the plate walls I3 and I4, other walls forming and having formed therein an elongated chamber indicated generally by I8 and having an inlet end I9--I with an upper inlet opening I'I and an outlet end Iii-2 with a reduced outlet extrusion die Yopening I8. The other screw housing walls include as shown coaxial equal diameter cylindric tubular walls I9 and 29 having adjacent ends abutting each other intermediate'the inlet and outlet ends ofthe chamber, the abutting end of the tubular wall I9 being provided with an outwardly extending annular ange 2| and the abutting end of the tubular wally 20 being provided withan voutwardly extendingv flange 22, and the flanges 2| and 22 being seal connected with each other by usual means including bolt and nut sets 23.

The plate wall I3 has formed therein a circular opening in which .fits the inlet end extremity of `the tubular wall I9, and there is a sealing weld connection between the tubular wall I9 and the transverse plate Wall I3.

YThe transverse plate I2 has its upper end formed as Yan upwardly opening semi-circular yoke 24 in which rests the tubular wall 29. The outlet extremity of the tubular wall 29 is provided with an outwardly extending annular flange 25, and an extrusion die 2G includes an annular disk portion 2, outer peripheralportions of which abut the iiange 25, and are seal connected thereto by usualmeans including bolt and nut sets V29. The extrusion die 26 furthermore'as shown .includesa cylindric nozzle 29 extending outwardly from the rannular disk 2l' and having formed therein the extrusion die outlet opening I8.

nBetween the longitudinally spaced plate walls I3 and I4 there is locatedvan. upwardly opening U-wall indicatedv generally by' 3i) vand including a lower upwardly opening semi-cylindric portion 3I whose curvature as shown is coaxial with and somewhat larger than'the curvature of the tubular wall I9; and extendingfrom the upper ends of the semi-cylindric portion 3l, the U-wall 3B includes side wall portions 32 which form with upper portions 33 and 34 ofthe plate walls I3 and I4, respectively, an upwardlyopening rectangular hopper 35.

The plate wall I4 has formed therein a circular opening 36 whichis coaxial with the tubular walls I9 and `2i), and a stuing box indicated generally by 31 of usual construction has one end fitting in the opening 36 and seal weld connected with the plate wall I4.

The transverse plate wall I has'formed therein a circular opening 38 which is'coaxial with the circular vopening 36' inthe plate wall I4 and the tubular walls I9 and 291. An elongated tubular bearing housing v39 extends through the opening 38 of the plate wall I5, and the bearing housing 39 is provided intermediate its ends with an outwardly extending annular flange 4i) which abuts the plate wall I5-and is secured theretoby nut and bolt-sets 4I. A drive tube442 extends with clearance through Ythe opening of the bearing mounting tube 39, and at each end of the bearing housing 39 there is interposed between the bearing housing 39 and the drive tube 42 and mounted in a usual manner a tapered roller bearing indicated generally by 43, the two tapered roller bearings 43 being arranged in a usual manner for resisting radial and oppositely directed thrust loads.

The drive tube 42 has formed therein intermediate its ends, a key slot 44 which is located between the roller bearings 43 and within the opening of the housing 39. The drive tube 42 has a cylindric bore coaxial with the opening of the stung box 31 and with the cylindric tubular walls I9 and 29.

The improved conveyor apparatus I5 furthermore includes a screw indicated generally by 45 and including a screw shaft -I on which is externally mounted a continuous thin walled helical screw blade 35-2. When desired separate screw blades may be mounted on the 'shai't d5-I. The screw blade 45-2 and -a Ycantilever end por-tion of the shaft i5-I are located within .the chamber IS, and as shown the longitudinal axis of the screw'shaft 45I and the screw blade t5-2 thereon is coaxial with the tubular walls I9 and 29. The screw blade 45-2 terminates in the inlet end I-I of the chamber VIS, and `there is preferably provided as shown on the screw shaft 45-I, an outwardly extending annular disk flange 45-3 abutting the inlet end of the screw blade' 45--2.

The screw shaftI 45-I is cylindric and extends through the centralopening of the stuffing box 3-andA through the cylindric bore of the drive tube '42, Athe cylindric :shaft 45-IV and the cylindric bore of the drive tube 42 lslidably fitting each other. Ilhe cylindric. :shaft 45l has formed 'therein a longitudinally extending keyway'd which registers with the'key slotfflll 'in the drive tube42,and a longitudinally extending key" 41 located inthe key slot 44 and the'key way'fA provides a-driving connection between thedrive tube 42 and the screw shaft 45-I and permits sliding oithe shaft i5- I in the drive tube-42.

The drive ,tubeV 42 extends beyond-the outer end lof the bearing Yhousing 39,-and a drive sprocket -48 is secured ontheouterend o the drive tube 42 adjacent the bearingfhousing 39. Beyond the drive sprocket 48,thelouter ei'rtremityY 49 ofthe drive tube 42 has 1 formed thereon' external threads.

Y Thev outerV end ofthe screw shaft 45-1 extends beyond 'the outer .extremity ofthe drive tubeY 42 and has a reduced externally threaded portion 5lon which-is screwed an adjusting sleevefnut 5I. 4The-inner endfof the sleeve nut 5I has an outwardly extending annularbearing and retaining'lange '52 formed thereon, and a bearing-and retaining-sleeve-53 has internal` threads at one end screwed on'the external threads of the outer extremitylll of the drive tube42. -The bearing and 'retaining'sleeve -53- alsohas an inwardly extending annular bearing'and retaining ange54 overlapping the ange 52 of the adjusting sleeve nut 5I. -rThe *adjustingV sleeve nut 5I is thus 'retained and journaled-on the'drive tube 42. The outer endrof the adjusting sleeve nut- 5I extends beyond the outer end of 'its retaining sleeve 53, and an adjustingwheel 55 isy secured on the outer end of the adjusting sleeve nut 5I, and as gshown the adjusting wheel55-has formed therein a'plurality of Spanner; wrench holes 59.

The improved `screw v conveyor apparatus I I- as thus described is used to provide a variableinp'ut attacca 5,2 "of material into thev inlet end of the screwl chamber I6, so that a desired outputof'material flows out ofthe outlet end of the screw chamber` I6. `In the case of plastic ceramicV material, `-the improved apparatus I `may be adjusted so that any lparticular body mixture of plastic ceramicma- Qterial may have an adjustable rate `of input vto ,the screw chamber I6 which provides lfor a desired substantiallyfconstant rate of'output from the youtlet extrusion die openinglju*` 'Y In Fig. 1, the parts of the improved apparatus are shown in theirv relative positions, whenacljusted so that themaximum'number of turns of theY screw blade 45-2 extend inthe direction of the plate wall I4 beyond the inlet end of the tubular wall I9 and'below the inlet opening II "of the screw chamber I6 andthe upwardly open- 'ing hopper 35. In this position of adjustment,

when the hopper 35 and the inlet end portion IB-I of the chamber I6 below the hopper 35 are filled with material, each turn of the screw 45 picks up a maximum bite of the material by the turns of the screw plate 45--2 extending beyond the inlet end of the tubular wall I9 in the inlet end IG-I of the hopper 35. l

In Fig. 2 the parts of the improved apparatus are shown in their relative positions when the screw shaft 45-I has beenadjusted to its extreme position towards the outlet extrusion die fopening I8, and with only a fraction of a turn ofthe screw blade 45-2 located in the Adirection of the plate wall I4 beyond theinlet endof the 'tubular wall I9 in the inlet Vend IIi-"I of the Vchamber below the inlet opening Il" and the hopper 35, and in which position each turn of the screw 45 picks up a much smaller bite of material when the apparatus is loaded, as compared with the adjustment of the parts shown in Fig. 1.

Adjustments of the parts between the extreme positions shown in Figs. 1 and 2 provide for any desired intermediate size of bite of input material for each rotation of the screw 45. The adjustment of the parts is effected by turning the adjusting sleeve nut I, and thereby slidably advancing or retracting the screw shaft 45-I in the drive tube 42. The drive tube 42 as above stated is drive connected with the screw shaft 45-I, as above described by means of the key 4'! fitting in the key slot 44 and the key way 46. 'I'he drive sprocket 48 for the drive tube 42 has a driving connection not shown with any usual reduction gearing and motor.

'I'he embodiments of the present invention illustrated and described herein are by way of example, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to the same or to the particular details thereof but is commensurate with any and all novel subject matter contained herein which may at any time properly under the patent laws be set forth in the claims hereof or originating herein, and the elements of any such claims are intended to include their reasonable equivalents.

I claim:

1. In screw conveyor apparatus for plastic material, screw housing walls forming and having formed therein an elongated chamber having an inlet end with an inlet opening and an outlet end with an outlet opening, an elongated screw mounted for rotation and lengthwise movement, the screw including a screw shaft and screw blade means on the screw shaft, the screw blade means and a portion of the screw shaft being located in the chamber and the screw blade means terminating at one end in the inlet end of the chamber and the screw blade means and the Yshaft terminating at the other end adjacent the outlet opening, and the screw shaft eX- tending through and outside of one of thechamber walls, and drive lmeans in rotatable and longitudinally slidable connection with the screw shaft outside of the chamber walls, the drive means including a drivetube having a'bore, the Ascrew shaft extending through the bore, the ldrive tube having a key slot formed therein'and the screw shaft having a longitudinally extending key way formed therein and the key way being substantially longer than the key slot, and a key located in the key slot and the key way.

2. In screw conveyor apparatus for plastic material, screw housing walls forming and having formed therein an elongated chamber having an inlet end with an inlet opening and an outlet end with an outlet opening, an' elongated screw mounted for rotation and lengthwise movement, the screw including a screw shaft and screw blade means on the screw shaft, the screw blade means and a portion of the Screw shaft being located in the chamber and the' screw blade means terminating at one end in the inlet end of the chamber and the screw blade means and the `*shaft terminating at the other end adjacent the outlet opening, and the screw shaftA extending vthrough and outside of one of the chamber walls, and drive means in rotatable and longitudinally slidable connection with vthe screw shaft outside of the chamber walls, thev drivemeans'including a drive tube having a bore, the screw shaft extending through the bore, the drive tubeY hav.- ing a key slot formed therein and thefscrew shaft having a longitudinally extending' key way formed therein and the key way being substantially longer than the key slot, and a key located in the key slot and the key way, and means for adjustably positioning the screw shaft lengthwise with respect to the drive tube.

3. In screw conveyor apparatus for plastic material, screw housing walls forming and having formed therein an elongated chamber having an inlet end with an inlet-opening and an outlet end with an outlet opening, an elongated screw mounted for rotation and lengthwise movement, the screw including a screw shaft and screw blade means on the screw shaft, the screw blade means and a portion of the screw shaft being located in the chamber and the screw blade means terminating at one end in the inlet end of the chamber and the screw blade means and the shaft terminating at the other end adjacent the outlet opening, and the screw shaft extending through and outside of one of the chamber Walls, and drive means in rotatable and longitudinally slidable connection with the screw shaft outside of the chamber walls, the drive means including a drive tube having a bore, the screw shaft extending through the bore, the drive tube having a key slot formed therein and the screw shaft having a longitudinally extending key way formed therein and the key way being substantially longer than the key slot, and a key located in the key slot and the key way, and means for adjustably positioning the screw shaft lengthwise with respect to the drive tube, the adjusting means including screw threads on the screw shaft and an adjusting sleeve nut journaled on the drive sleeve.

4. In screw conveyor apparatus for plastic material, Vscrew housing walls forming and having formed therein an elongated chamber having an inlet end with an inlet opening and an outlet end with an outlet opening, an elongated screw mounted for rotation and lengthwisemovement,v the screwincluding a screw shaft and screw blade means on the screw shaft, the screw blade means and a portion of the screw shaft being located in the chamber and the screw blade means terminating at one end in the inlet end of the chamber and the screw blade means and the shaft terminating at theother end adjacent the outlet opening, and the screw shaft extending through and outside `of one of the chamber walls, and drive means in rotatable and longitudinally slidable connection with the screw shaft outsider of Vthe chamber walls, the drive means including a drive tube having a bore, the screw shaft extending through the bore, the drive tube having a key slot formed therein and the screw shaft having a longitudinally extend,- ing key way formed therein and the key way being substantially longer than the key slot, and a key located in the key slot and the key Way. and means for adjustably positioning the screw shaft lengthwise with respect to the drive tube, and opposed thrust bearing means rotatably mounting the drive tube.

5. In screw conveyor apparatus for plastic material, screw housing walls forming and having formed therein an elongated, chamber having an inlet end with an inlet opening andan outlet end with an outlet opening, an elongated screw mounted for rotation and lengthwise movement, the screw including a screw shaft and screw blade means on the screw shaft, the screw blade means and a portion of the screw shaft being located in the chamber and the screw blade means terminating at one end in the inlet end of the rchamber and thescrewblade means and, the shait terminating at thevv other. end, adjacent the outlet opening and the Screw Yshaft eiitendne through and outside of lone of the chamhenwalls, and drive means inrotatabie and longitudinally slidable connection ,with the screw shaft outside of the chamber walls,A the drive means including a drivel tubehavingabore, the screw shaft eX- tending through the bore, the .drive tubevhaving a key slot formed ytherein andthe screw Shaft having a. longitudinallyextending key wayformed therein andthe keyf way being Substantially 1.098' er than the key slot, and a' key located in the key slot and the key Wayland means forv adjustably positioning the screw shaft'leng'thwisewith r'espect to the driye tube,v the adjusting means including screw ,threads onq the screwA shaft and an adjusting sleeve A'nutjournald on thedrive sleeve, and opposed thrust bearingmea'ns" rotatably mounting the drive 'tube'. ELWIN A.

REFERENCES .onrED The following referencesA are 0f record inthe le of this patent:

UNITEDA STATES -pATENrs 

